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Due to loss of water pressure caused by Tropical Storm Harvey, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the City of Beaumont water system to issue a boil water notice for the city until further notice.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.

Roughly two million Jefferson County tax dollars are annually allotted to support the initiatives of the Ford Park Entertainment Complex, but that isn’t the only public funding used to subsidize the privately run county venue. According to information from the county, Ford Park also receives the lion’s share of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds as well.

If Jefferson County departments budget requests are fully funded this year, according to County Auditor Patrick Swain, the county is looking at a $4 million shortfall. Among the requests for increased funding are various capital improvement projects throughout the county, increases to cover healthcare premiums, and more than a half-million dollars in requested additions for the SMG-managed and county-owned Ford Park Entertainment Complex, which already loses more than $2 million annually.

While we harbor no disrespect for the Wall Street Journal who called us “that scrappy little paper from Southeast Texas,” we prefer to think of ourselves as simple seekers of the truth. We’re of the opinion that headlines and sound bites never tell the whole story. Our readers demand all the facts, facets and flavors of every story or event. And, they expect to be informed, educated and stirred to action.